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Man cleared of honeymoon murder

A man accused of the murder of his wife in India in 2004 has been released, after the prosecution offered no evidence against him at a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court.

John Clifton Davies was found not guilty of murder and fraud.

He had been accused of the murder of Colette Davies, who was found dead at the bottom of a ravine in a remote part of India on the couple's honeymoon.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that new information from a visit to the scene in India undermined the prosecution case:

"During that visit the police became aware of significant new information including statements from two people, who had not previously come forward, who could potentially provide direct eyewitness evidence. This new information could be said to undermine the prosecution case.

"In the light of these developments, the CPS reviewed the case again and concluded that the evidential requirements laid out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors are no longer met in relation to both the murder and fraud charges.

"As a result, prosecution counsel has formally advised the court that we are offering no evidence against John Clifton Davies in this case."